Lake Forest College Sports Information
May 8, 2003 Contact: Mike Wajerski, SID Shannon Clerkin Named Forester Athlete of the Week
Lake Forest went 3-1 to claim their second consecutive championship, and Clerkin delivered a big blow in the title game -- a grand slam that kept the Foresters in a contest they would eventually win with a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. The sophomore designated player wasted no time proving she would be a major factor in the tournament, cracking a two-run homerun (the first of her career) and a two-run double in a 13-7 first-round win over Lawrence University. She was then 1-for-5 with a walk as the Foresters split two games with Monmouth College. The Fighting Scots' victory forced a second and deciding championship game in the double-elimination tournament, setting the stage for the dramatics. Things looked grim as Lake Forest fell behind 0-5 in the early innings. But after two singles and a walk loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, Clerkin pounded a long homerun over the right field fence to pull the Foresters within striking distance. The lefty also contributed to the winning rally by taking a walk, which led to the tying run and helped complete the 9-8 comeback victory. For the tournament Clerkin batted .364 and easily led the team with nine runs batted in and a slugging percentage of 1.000. The Forester Athlete of the Week is chosen by the Athletic Department on Thursdays.
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